Motorized ski towing unit

ABSTRACT

A motorized ski towing unit operated directly by the water-skier to enable a water-skier to be self-propelled. The apparatus consists of an outboard type motor mounted in a flotation unit, with means to fasten the motor unit by tow bars to a pair of water skis. The attachment of the towing bars to the skis is of an automatic release type, so as to free the skis and skier from the tractor unit, in the event of a spill. Spring loaded valves controlled by the skier close the air intake to the carburetor and the exhaust manifold outlet so as to shut the motor off automatically in the event of a spill, and to prevent water from entering into the engine compartment when the motor becomes disconnected from the skier. Propelling means may consist of a conventional propeller, suitably shrouded, or a jet stream of water powered by a fully enclosed impeller blade.

United States Patent [1 Murphy July 17, 1973 MOTORIZED SKI TOWING UNIT [76] Inventor: JohnV. Murphy, Six Dawes Place,

Larchmont, Ind. 10538 22 Filed: Jan. 31, 1912 21 Appl. No.: 222,034

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,969,037 H196] 3,062,172 11/1962 Moore ..l15/6.1

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,026,729 4/1953 France 115/70 Vogt 115/70 Primary ExaminerDuane A. Reger Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Sauberer Att0rneyHoward l. Podell [57] ABSTRACT A motorized ski towing unit operated directly by the water-skier to enable a water-skier to be self-propelled. The apparatus consists of an outboard type motor mounted in a flotation unit, with means to fasten the motor unit by tow bars to a pair of water skis. The attachment of the towing bars to the skis is of an automatic release type, so as to free the skis and skier from the tractor unit, in the event of a spill. Spring loaded valves controlled by the skier close the air intake to the carburetor and the exhaust manifold outlet so as to shut the motor off automatically in the event of a spill, and to prevent water from entering into the engine compartment when the motor becomes disconnected from the skier. Propelling means may consist of a conventional propeller, suitably shrouded, or a jet stream of water powered by a fully enclosed impeller blade.

MOTORIZED SKI TOWING UNIT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a motorized water-skiing apparatus which is self-powered and controlled directly by the skier.

By means of my invention, the water-skier may dispense with the need of a costly towing boat operated by additional individuals.

A further advantage of my invention is that the water skier utilizing this apparatus may fully control his course and speed with consequent further safety. With this apparatus, several skiers may participate together in joint activities such as races and acrobatics.

The basic apparatus consists of a propulsion unit mounted in a flotation housing, with two towing bars, each bar being fastened to one of the two detachable skis. The towing bars are pivotably mounted to the motor shaft in both the horizontal and vertical planes. An automatic quick-release mechanism detaches the skis from the towing bars in the event of a spill. The motor is sealed from water intake, in the event of a spill, by spring-loaded valves which close the carburetor air intake and the exhaust manifold outlet at the moment the skier relaxes his hold on the controls.

The propulsion unit may be of the construction of conventional light outboard motors driving a shrouded propeller, or powering a jet water stream generated from a fully enclosed impeller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The objects and features of the invention may be under-stood with reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, taken together with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the control unit and handle; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now descriptively to the drawing, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 illustrate the apparatus 10, consisting of a flotation housing 11 which surrounds the engine of outboard type motor unit 16, and two towing bars 21 each bar fastened to a ski 20.

Towing bars 21 are rotatably pinned, by vertical fastener 25, to clamp 27 which is rotatably pinned by horizontal fastener 24 attached to the motor frame above the mounting of the propeller 18. Propeller 18 is completely shrouded by housing 19 and suitably screened to prevent personal contact with the propeller blades.

As an alternate embodiment, a fully enclosed impeller may be substituted to power a jet stream of water.

Air intake valve 13 leading to the carburetor is spring-mounted as is a valve closing the exhaust manifold 17 so as to close when the skier relaxes his hold on controls 14 and 15 located adjacent to the towing handle 12, as shown in FIG. 2.

Towing bars 21 are hooked at their ends to slip over ski attachment bar 22. Attachment 22 is mounted forward of foot straps 23 on each ski.

In starting from a submerged position, the positive flotation furnished by housing 11 keeps the motor upright, with the vertical angle of the towing bars 21 to the motor about fastener 24 permitting the propeller 18 to balance the drag forces of the skier. As the skier rises out of the water, due to the planing action of the skis 20, the angle of the tow rods 21 with relation to the motor unit 16 automatically adjusts to provide a balance of forces necessary for stable running.

Since obvious changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described herein, it is indicated that all matter contained herein is intended as illustrative and not as limiting in scope.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A motorized water-ski towing unit adaptable to be operated directly by the water-skier, together with the attached water skis and towing bars consisting of an outboard motor in which the engine unit is completely encased in a water-tight flotation housing, two towing bars mounted to the vertical shaft housing of the motor unit above the propeller, each said towing bar being fastened so as to permit free rotation in both the vertical and horizontal planes with respect to the vertical motor shaft, each said towing bar being fastened by a hooked end about a bar mounted to a water ski, such that the release of tension forces in said towing bar with respect to said ski-mounted bar serves to disconnect said ski bar from said towing bar.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 in which a valve adaptable to scaling the air intake of the engine carburetor and a valve adaptable to sealing the exhaust outlet of the engine are both spring loaded so as to seal their respective air orifices against incoming water when positive pressure is not maintained by the water skier against control memers leading to said valves.

3. The combination recited in claim 2 in which a handle is mounted on the upper surface of the flotation housing, said handle being structurally fastened to support the towing load of the skiers arms, when the skier grasps said handle, said handle being located adjacent to the handles of the valve control members which act to seal the air intake and exhaust outlets.

t i i i UNTTED STATES PATENT oTTTcE CERTEFEQATE OT QGREQTWN Patent No. 3,745,962 Datd July 17, 1973 Inventor( JOHN V. MURPHY It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [76], "John V. Murphy, Six Dawes Place, Larchmont, Ind. 10538" should read John V. Murphy,

Richmond, Ind.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of December 1973 (SEAL) Attest EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents FORM F'O-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376 P69 fi UTS. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1959 0-366-334,

a UMTEU STATES PATENT owIcE CERTIFICATE or @ORREUH Patent No. 3,745,962 Datd July l7, 1973 Invent0r(s HN V MURPHY It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [76] "John V. Murphy, Six Dawes Place, Larchmont, Ind. 10538" should read John V. Murphy,

Richmond, Ind.

Signed and sealed this 25th day or December 1973.

(SEAIJ Attesti EDWARD M. FLETCHERJR. V RENE D. TEG'JMEYER Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents FORM P O-1050 (10-69) uscoMM-oc scam-Pee U.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1 195 0*356'33. 

1. A motorized water-ski towing unit adaptable to be operated directly by the water-skier, together with the attached water skis and towing bars consisting of an outboard motor in which the engine unit is completely encased in a water-tight flotation housing, two towing bars mounted to the vertical shaft housing of the motor unit above the propeller, each said towing bar being fastened so as to permit free rotation in both the vertical and horizontal planes with respect to the vertical motor shaft, each said towing bar being fastened by a hooked end about a bar mounted to a water ski, such that the release of tension forces in said towing bar with respect to said ski-mounted bar serves to disconnect said ski bar from said towing bar.
 2. The combination recited in claim 1 in which a valve adaptable to sealing the air intake of the engine carburetor and a valve adaptable to sealing the exhaust outlet of the engine are both spring loaded so as to seal their respective air orifices against incoming water when positive pressure is not maintained by the water skier against control memers leading to said valves.
 3. The combination recited in claim 2 in which a handle is mounted on the upper surface of the flotation housing, said handle being structurally fastened to support the towing load of the skier''s arms, when the skier grasps said handle, said handle being located adjacent to the handles of the valve control members which act to seal the air intake and exhaust outlets. 